belif in gifting!

The holidays are almost here! The feeling of gifting is already thick in the air and we can hardly contain our excitement. We’ve already listed down the people who are near and dear to us and the gifts we’re thinking of surprising them with. It’s never too early to prepare, and with the many choices laid upon us, we suggest you get to it soon, too.

They say it’s the thought that counts, and we completely agree. More often than not, it’s in the intention rather than the gift itself. After all, the simplest gifts in life are the greatest. The same should go for the skincare products we use and recommend to others. The truer, the better — which is exactly the ideal belif stands for. Made with the purest and best ingredients sourced from the world over — they’re free of parabens, sulfates, phtalates and synthetic preservatives, synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances, mineral oils, and animal origin ingredients — belif’s products provide true and lasting benefits.

That said, if you’re just starting with your list, here’s a nifty guide on worthwhile skincare sets to get the women — or men — in your life based on their personalities.

For the Skincare Rookie

There’s nothing better to give a skincare newbie than a set of products that will give her the coveted glass skin glow. belif’s Merry Merry Moisturizers Set is the perfect pick for that. It includes the cult-favourite Aqua Bomb and the Moisturizing Bomb that makes the skin look supple and glowing through the Napiers Aqua Formula. The set also includes Numero 10 Essence that’s packed with Rose of Jericho, which locks in the skin’s moisture in just 10 seconds — perfect for a glowing look.

The Adventure-Follower

It’s hard to give an adventure-follower a gift because experience is already a pretty swell present. But since they’re always out and about, give them the gift of improving the look of the skin despite being exposed to damaging factors like the harmful rays of the sun and sleepless nights while they’re out exploring. Give your favourite explorer belif’s Peat Miracle Revital Set, which features the Peat Miracle Revital Serum Concentrate and deluxe minis of the Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream and Cream. They contain Peat extract, which helps refine the skin’s texture, improves the skin’s turnover and increases skin’s elasticity for a more youthful look.

The Doting Superwoman

There’s truly no way we can repay in full how our mothers love and care for us, but the least we can do is make sure they feel good about themselves. Help them look as young as they should feel with belif’s Prime Infusion Repair Cream Special Edition Set. Take the evidence of stress from their face through this set of products that contain Solar Nectar Infusion Formula and Mountain Arnica that are great for repairing the damages on the skin, giving it a smooth, radiant look.

She loves to sweat it out and give it her all during her workouts. But anything that’s been lost should be replenished. So make sure your favourite fitness enthusiast is hydrated not just inside but on her skin as well. Give her the gift of belif’s Ultimate Hydration Set. It contains the Hungarian Water Essence – Moisture Binder, your choice of moisturizer, and deluxe minis of Aqua Bomb and Moisturizing Bomb. The hydrating properties of the cult-favourite moisturizers coupled with the nourishing prowess of Jasmine Water in the essence is a recipe for skin that’s as strong as your fitness fan’s body.

If you can’t convince your friend to go on an adventure as a gift, you can at least give her something that works while she lounges cosily in her own space. For an evening of chilling while watching her favourites on Netflix, let her indulge in the goodness of belif’s Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask Set, which contains the cult-favourite Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask, a 50mlAqua Bomb and a deluxe mini of the Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask. The coveted Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask has a memory formula that rejuvenates and replenishes the skin overnight. It also contains Scottish Heather and Lady’s Mantle that give the skin a boost of hydration — all while she dozes off to dreamland.

K-Beauty galore

There’s no denying that Korean skincare and makeup products are in high demand these days. Anyone who has tried these beauty items would understand why. Aside from good formulations, they also come in the cutest packaging, and as a cherry on top, they’re also affordable. But despite K-Beauty’s massive success outside Korea, it can still be challenging to get your hands on some interesting new releases.

All the added courier and tax fees plus the long waiting time is enough to discourage us from having the products shipped. So if you’re lucky enough to go on a trip to South Korea soon, take the opportunity to buy products from these brands for a cheaper price before heading home.

COSRX

COSRX quickly became popular due to its no-nonsense skincare products that deliver great results. Now, they’re expanding at a rapid rate and distributing their goods internationally via consignments with beauty hubs like Watsons and Riley Rose. While we can grab some of their bestsellers like the One Step Original Clear Pad off the shelves at a nearby cosmetic store, some of their new must-have products are still hard to come by and are often sold by independent vendors for a much higher price. If you ever find yourself in Myeongdong, look for ALand where you can find a COSRX corner. Make sure to get the latest PHA Moisture Renewal Cream and Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence before they’re sold out.

Neogen

As a huge advocate of using natural skincare ingredients, Neogen focuses on gentle yet effective skincare for individuals who have sensitive skin. The brand’s one-of-a-kind products made a good impression on influential beauty gurus like Charlotte Cho of Soko Glam, who eventually collaborated with the brand to create the beloved Neogen Green Tea Cleansing Stick. If you’ve always wanted to try it, better to get it from Korea at Olive Young Myeongdong where it’s sold cheaper compared to buying it online or from importers.

Krave Beauty

Developed by beauty influencer Liah Yoo, this up-and-coming skincare brand is officially sold only in the United States and South Korea. However, you have the option to order it from individual online sellers; the only problem is that it’s costly. For example, the coveted Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser is sold for KRW16,000 (~USD14.30) in Korea but the average price online could go as high as USD24. A big difference, right? During your trip to Korea, you can place an order on the official website and just wait for up to 2-3 days for the parcel to arrive at your hotel.

April Skin

To this date, April Skin’s most popular items are still their cushions. The craze started with the Magic Snow Cushion, which is said to give amazing coverage yet still maintains a natural, skin-like finish. Over the years, the formula has been improved and the new Perfect Magic Cover Dual Cushion was born. Wanna give it a try? Head to their store at Lotte Young Plaza Myeongdong where the prices are lower and sometimes there are even discounts. You may even get a chance to bag freebies and samples.

3CE by StyleNanda

Known for their pretty packaging and trendy makeup items, 3CE is considered the epitome of a Korean makeup brand. Their products are available locally and online but prices are still cheaper when you buy them straight from the source. If you haven’t given their products a try, we recommend you check out the award-winning Multi Eye Color Palette in Overtake, the Maison Kitsune collaboration and 3CE Back To Baby BB Cream. Swing by their Hong-dae flagship store where you can try out all 3CE products, fit some StyleNanda clothing, and dine at the cute StyleNanda cafe.

Fascinating finds

How'd the weekend treat ya? If you're still easing into the new week, here's something that may help. Get a dose of the latest and hottest news in the worlds of fashion and beauty to give your mind a bit of respite.

Charcoal setting spray

This one may seem a bit sketchy, but Milani Cosmetics promise that this will be a great addition to anyone's makeup routine, especially those with oily skin. The charcoal found in the product will help absorb oil and toxins on the skin, leaving you looking fresh all day long. Will you try it?

More Alcheme

Singaporean brand Alcheme has launched a few new skincare lines. Say hello to Rejuvenate {me}, Brighten {me} and Clear & Mattify {me}. All of the lines aim to help people get smooth, glowing skin by addressing specific skin problems.

Style Theory goes offline

Style Theory, Southeast Asia's largest fashion rental subscription service, goes offline with their first brick-and-mortar store at NomadX at Plaza Singapura. Visit their store to learn more about their offerings.

Chupa Chups at 60

Candy brand Chupa Chups celebrated their 60th year in the business with the biggest lollipop installation in the Philippines. Check it out at Bonifacio Global City.